Furnace tap-holes vary in design depending on the type of furnace and process involved, but share one common trait: the tap-hole must be opened and closed periodically. In general tap-holes are plugged with refractory clay ...

Pyrometallurgical furnaces are tapped through tap-holes that are opened with drills and oxygen lances. The lance is often used on its own or as the last step of opening the tap-hole. Interaction of oxygen with molten ...